Review: Nicholas and Alexandra

The story of the title Romanov family, Tsar Nicholas II (Michael Jayston) and wife Alexandra (Janet Suzman), and their struggles through political unrest, family tragedy, and their acquaintance with a mad monk named Grigori Rasputin (Tom Baker). A teary-eyed Jack Hawkins and always sturdy Harry Andrews play Count Fredericks and Grand Duke Nicholas, Irene Worth is the Queen Mother, John McEnery is Kerensky a moderate revolutionary, with Trotsky (an almost unrecognisable Brian Cox, in one of his earliest roles) and Lenin (Michael Bryant) as the more extremist revolutionaries. Ian Holm and Alan Webb turn up late as Bolshevik Yakovlev and elderly Yurovsky, the former harsh and the latter somewhat reticent, but both ultimately sworn to their duties.

 

Slightly talky, overly-detailed (interesting or not, were Trotsky, Lenin et al really necessary to the story?), and perhaps overlong 1971 Franklin J. Schaffner (“Planet of the Apes”, “Patton”) historical drama is nonetheless mostly fascinating, solidly acted and beautifully mounted. Terrific Oscar-winning costuming by Yvonne Blake and Antonio Castillo, top-notch Oscar-nominated cinematography Freddie Young (“Lawrence of Arabia”, “Dr. Zhivago”), and lovely Oscar-winning Art Direction by John Box (“Lawrence of Arabia”, “Dr. Zhivago”), Ernest Archer (“The Day of the Jackal”, “Hell Drivers”), Jack Maxted (“Jason and the Argonauts”, “Diamonds Are Forever”), Gil Parrondo (“Patton”), and Set Decoration by Vernon Dixon (“Barry Lyndon”, “For Your Eyes Only”).

 

Jayston and Oscar-nominated Suzman are rock solid and, especially Jayston, but the real stars are the massive line-up of prestige supporting actors (including Lord Laurence Olivier and Jack Hawkins in sentimental old fool roles), notably an unrecognisable Tom Baker (AKA Doctor Who), as one of the more human portrayals of Grigori Rasputin, and a nice bit of scene-stealing at the end by old pro Webb.

 

Perhaps a little too sympathetic towards the controversial Tsar for some tastes, and somewhat dry experience for those uninterested in history or old British character actors. All others should find this an enjoyable, perhaps even moving experience. Screenplay by James Goldman (the underrated “Robin and Marian”) and Edward Bond (“Walkabout”), from a book by Robert K. Massie.

 

Rating: B-

 

 

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